The Magic of the Working Holiday Visa in Australia

Millennial Thursdays: We’ve heard the story before. Kid goes to college, graduates and can’t find a career in the field he studied. However, instead of camping out in his parent’s basement, then-22-year-old Lincoln Peek opted for a more exotic destination: Sydney, Australia.

Work Hard, Travel Harder

After hearing about Working Holiday visa programs where Americans are offered the opportunity to work nonprofessional jobs abroad, Peek researched potential destinations. He looked for programs that allowed him to stay longer than six months and had the fewest restrictions.

“I was applying to things in the US and I wasn’t getting any leads on jobs. I was just denied, denied, denied,” says Peek, who after graduating from Colorado College was interested in foreign policy jobs in Washington, D.C. “When it became clear that I was going to be working in a bar anyway, I decided I would rather be working in a bar in Australia.”

Do Your Research

In general, Working Holiday visa programs are intended for 18 - 30 year olds, offering the opportunity to work anywhere from six to 24 months. Typically, applicants are restricted to non-professional careers - bartending, farm work, hostessing. Countries view Working Holiday visa programs as a way to encourage longer tourism while promoting cultural awareness.

Since the United States does not offer a Working Holiday visa program of its own, not as many countries are willing to offer Americans Working Holiday visas. Americans are limited to programs in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea.

Make 2014 the year of the Koala. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Check immigration policies when applying for your visa. Many countries, including Australia, require applicants to have a certain amount of money in a bank account when they arrive, so have your statements ready.

Shaken, Not Stirred

Despite not having any experience as a bartender, the American landed a job making cocktails in two weeks. Thanks to good minimum wage laws in Australia, he was able to take home decent money while acquiring a new skill.

“As long as you are not a complete idiot, bartending is not that hard,” promises Peek.

Never bartended before? Don’t let that stop you. Line your resume with any customer-service-related jobs, from babysitting to catering to retail. Drop your resume off in-person, mention your people skills and ability to think on your feet. You'll be working like an Aussie in no time.

“I think working at a bar helps you get hooked in to a place,” says Peek. “From staring out the window all day, you get to know a neighborhood and it’s people very well. ”

Travel Slow

The benefits of working and traveling are numerous. Making money while on the road enables you to live abroad for longer. It also exposes you to a different side of local culture than you would experience as a tourist, allowing you to explore working customs and establish friendships with natives.